Military aircraft collide over Hawaii

ROUGH seas are hampering the search effort for 12 US Marines feared dead after two army helicopters collided midair off the coast of Hawaii.

Network Writers

News Corp Australia NetworkJanuary 17, 20166:03am

Feared dead ... Ty Hart, pictured with his wife, is one of the missing Marines in Hawaii. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

RESCUERS are continuing to search choppy waters where debris was sighted after two Marine Corps helicopters carrying six crew members each crashed off the Hawaiian island of Oahu during an evening training mission, military officials say.

There was no immediate word on the fate of those aboard or what caused the accident. The transport helicopters known as CH-53Es crashed late on Thursday, officials said.

A search vessel cruises the waters off the beach at Haleiwa, Hawaii on Friday, January 15. Picture: AP Photo/Audrey McAvoySource:AP

The choppers were part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Known as Super Stallions, they are the US military’s largest helicopter, capable of carrying a light armoured vehicle, 16 tons of cargo or a team of combat-equipped Marines, according to a Marine Corps website.

Elaray Navarro, a retiree who lives across the street from the beach, said she heard two booms late on Thursday that were loud enough to shake her house. She expressed concern for the crew as she watched the pounding surf from Haleiwa.

US Marines walk on the beach at Waimea Bay near Haleiwa, Hawaii, where two military helicopters crashed into the ocean. Picture: Mariana Keller via AP PhotoSource:AP

“I pray to the man upstairs to help them. To bring them home safely,” she said.

The Coast Guard was notified of the crash by a civilian on a beach who saw the aircraft flying then disappear and a fireball. Another person reported a flare in the sky, authorities said.

It was not clear if the fireball and the flare were the same, he said.

The Marines were alerted when the helicopters failed to return to their base at Kaneohe Bay as scheduled.

The Coast Guard initially reported that the choppers had collided, but it’s now not known if the accident was a collision.

The helicopters normally carry four crew members, but this particular flight also carried one or two instructor trainers.

The search included Air Force units as well as a Honolulu Fire Department rescue boat and Coast Guard cutters.

Two Navy ships were also participating with a Navy squadron of SH-60 helicopters, with rough weather making the search difficult.

Grave fears ... Major Shawn Campbell is one of the missing Marines in Hawaii. Picture: FacebookSource:Supplied

Missing ... Matthew Drown is one of the missing Marines in Hawaii. Picture: FacebookSource:Supplied

The identity of three Marines on board the aircraft have been revealed.

They are Ty Hart from Stayton, Oregon, and Matthew Drown and Maj. Shawn Campbell, both from Houston, Texas, according to KHOU.

Campbell, 41, was a married father of four who lived in Hawaii with his family, his relatives said. His family members say that he was flying one of the helicopters.

Two Coast Guard cutters and several Coast Guard aircraft were searching, along with two US Navy warships and local police and fire department helicopters, the Coast Guard said on Friday. A safety zone has been set up from the shoreline that matches up with the accident site to 13km out to sea, the Coast Guard said. “We’ve seen debris through the entire area,” said Lieutenant Scott Carr, a Coast Guard spokesman.

Proud serviceman ... It is not know if Matthew Drown, centre with fellow marines, is dead or alive. Picture: FacebookSource:Supplied

The CH-53E helicopters, belonging to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from the Marine Corps Air Station at Kaneohe Bay, were on a routine training mission when they were reported to have collided just before midnight local time, Coast Guard spokeswoman Sara Mooers said.

The debris field spanned more than 11km off the coast, the Coast Guard said.

“Thoughts & prayers are with our Marines & their families in Hawaii as search efforts continue,” General Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, said in a message on Twitter. No distress call was issued by either aircraft. Authorities were notified by a man standing on the beach who saw a fireball over the ocean after seeing the helicopters flying in that area, Carr said at a news conference.